Method and apparatus for filling a container having a tube spout fitment

ABSTRACT

A machine and method for filling a container having a tube spout fitment. The machine includes a filling tube interconnected to a first reservoir. The first reservoir holds a product intended to be delivered to the container. The machine preferably a valve controls the delivery of the product from the first reservoir to the container. The fill tube includes an opening configured to fittingly engage the opening of the tube spout fitment. The machine is operable to mount the fill tube onto the tube spout container such that the inner surface of the fill tube is in contact with the outer surface of the tube spout fitment so as to deliver products into the container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus, such as amachine, and method for filling a container having a tube spout fitment.More specifically the present invention relates to a machine and methodfor filling the container through the tube spout fitment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Containers with tube spout fitments are currently known and used. Suchcontainers typically hold consumable products such as beverages, powdersand the like. These containers come in various sizes and may be formedout of sheets of laminate material such as aluminum or treated polymers.Such containers are commonly mass produced and filled by a fillingmachine so as to produce a packaged product ready for commercial use.The filling machine may be one of a plurality of machines arranged in anassembly line. The filling machine includes a fill tube in communicationwith a reservoir.

Currently, containers with tube spout fitments are filled by placing thefill tube within the opening of the tube spout fitment. The fill tube isconfigured to be placed within the opening of the tube spout such thatthe outer surface of the filling tube does not touch the inner surfaceof the tube spout. This configuration prevents contamination of the tubespout fitment.

It is known that the rate at which such a container is filled is limitedby the opening of the tube spout fitment. Specifically, the greater thearea of the opening the more volume can be poured therethrough.Accordingly it remains desirable to increase the filling rate so as toincrease the production rate of the containers. Furthermore, machineimprecision may cause the filling tube to touch the inner surface of thetube spout fitment during filling. Thus, there exists the potential forcontaminating the container. Accordingly it is also desirable to have amachine and a method of filling containers with tube spout fitments thatallows a manufacturer to produce a filled container at a greater ratewithout contaminating the containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus and method for filling a container having a tube spoutfitment is provided. The apparatus, also referred to as a fillingmachine, includes a fill tube interconnected with a first reservoir. Thefirst reservoir holds a product intended to be delivered to thecontainer. The filling machine also includes a valve system forcontrolling the delivery of the product from the first reservoir to thecontainer. The fill tube is interconnected to the first reservoir, andthe valve system is mounted between the first reservoir and the filltube. The filling machine is operable to mount the fill tube onto thetube spout container and deliver the product from the first reservoirinto the container through the tube spout fitment. Specifically, thefill tube is mounted onto the tube spout fitment such that the innersurface of the fill tube is in contact with the outer surface of thetube spout fitment. Accordingly the containers may be filled at agreater rate than the prior art as the fill tube has an opening which isgreater than the opening of the tube spout fitment. The inner surface ofthe fill tube may be flushed with a cleanser after filling apredetermined number of containers so as to prevent contamination of thepouch body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an assembly line having a plurality ofmachines directed towards producing a filled container, the assemblyline includes a filling machine operable to fill the container throughthe tube spout fitment;

FIG. 2 is an isolated view of an embodiment of a filling machine;

FIGS. 3 a-3 b is an illustration showing an embodiment of a fill tubefilling the container through the tube spout fitment;

FIGS. 4 a-4 c is an illustration of the first preferred embodiment ofthe fill tube filling a container, the fill tube includes a seal mountedto the inner surface of the fill tube;

FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of an illustration of the secondpreferred embodiment of the fill tube;

FIGS. 5 b-5 d is an illustration showing how the fill tube of FIG. 5 ahelps align itself onto the tube spout fitment;

FIG. 6 is a list of the steps for a method of filling a container havinga tube spout fitment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method and machine 10, also referred toherein as filling machine 10, for filling a container 12 having a tubespout fitment 14. The tube spout fitment 14 has an outer surface 18 anda tube spout opening 16 having a first predetermined area 24. The filltube 20 has an inner surface 26 defining a passageway for product toflow through. The filling machine 10 includes a fill tube 20 having afill tube opening 22 having a second predetermined area 25.

With reference now to FIGS. 2, 3 a and 3 b, an illustration of anembodiment of the filling machine 10 is provided. The secondpredetermined area 25 of the fill tube opening 22 is slightly largerthan the first predetermined area 24 of the tube spout opening 16 suchthat when the fill tube 20 is mounted onto the tube spout fitment 14 theinner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 is in contact with the outersurface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14 so as to prevent products fromleaking during filling operations. Thus the fill tube 20 encloses theopening 22 during filling operations. As such, the filling machine 10and method has the utility of filling containers 12 with tube spoutfitments 14 at a greater rate than currently known filling machines, andhelps prevent contamination of the container 12.

The filling machine 10 further includes a first reservoir 28 for holdingproducts to be delivered to the container 12. The fill tube 20 is incommunication with the first reservoir 28. A valve 30 configured tocontrol the delivery of the product from the first reservoir 28 to thecontainer 12. Preferably the valve 30 is mounted to the fill tube 20downstream the first reservoir 28. The valve system 30 may be controlledby any programmable controller 32 currently known and used in the art,illustrative including a programmable logic controller. The programmablecontroller 32 is operable to adjust the valve 30 so as to deliver apredetermined amount of product to the container 12.

The fill tube 20 may be formed of a material of sufficient rigidity suchthat the fill tube 20 remains generally elongated when slidingly mountedonto the tube spout fitment 14. Specifically, the material must havesufficient rigidity so as to engage the fill tube opening 22 and allowthe inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 to slidingly engage the outersurface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14 and enclose the tube spoutfitment 14. Such material may include nylon, metal or a hardenedplastic. The tube spout fitment 14 is preferably formed of a materialwith sufficient rigidity so as to remain generally upright andfacilitate the fill tube 20 being fittingly mounted thereon. Anymaterial having sufficient rigidity currently known and used in the artis suitable for use herein, illustratively including hardened polymer.

The filling machine 10 may further include a first drive 34 controlledby the programmable controller 32. The first drive 34 is operable tomount the fill tube 20 onto the tube spout fitment 14 so as to deliverproduct from the reservoir to the container 12. When mounted the innersurface 26 of the fill tube 20 is flush against the outer surface 18 ofthe tube spout fitment 14 thus product is prevented from leaking whilethe container 12 is being filled.

The filling machine 10 may further include a second reservoir 36containing cleansing fluid. The second reservoir 36 is also connected tothe fill tube 20. The valve 30 may also control the release of cleansingfluid from the second reservoir 36. More specifically, the programmablecontroller is operable to actuate the control valve so as to preventdischarge of product from the first reservoir 28 and to releasecleansing fluid from the second reservoir 36. Preferably, cleansingfluid is released each time after a container is filled so as to preventthe containers from being contaminated. Thus, the valve releases thecleansing fluid so as to flush the inner surface of the fill tube 20free of any residual product.

With reference again to FIG. 2, the fill machine may also include a pump30 a to release the cleansing fluid or the product. Alternatively, thecleansing fluid and product may be delivered through the fill tube withgravity assist.

The fill machine 10 may be equipped with a rail system 38 operable toautomatically deliver and align the tube spout fitments 14 to the filltube 20. The machine 10 is operable to move the container 12 along therail system 38 and align the tube spout fitment 14 to the fill tube 20using a rail drive 40 and a first sensor 42. The first sensor 42 isoperable to detect the position of the container 12 so as to determineif the tube spout fitment 14 is aligned to receive the fill tube 20. Asshown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, once the first sensor 42 determines that thetube spout fitment 14 is aligned to receive the fill tube 20 the machine10 will actuate the first drive 34 so as to mount the fill tube 20 ontothe tube spout fitment 14. Such sensors are currently known and used inthe art, any of which are adaptable for use herein. Other known and usedsystems for aligning the tube spout fitments 14 to the fill tube 20 arealso suitable for use herein, illustratively including indexing the railso as to position the container to receive the fill tube 20.

With reference now to FIGS. 4 a, 4 b and 4 c, a first preferredembodiment of the fill tube 20 is provided. In the first preferredembodiment the fill tube 20 further includes a seal 44 disposed alongthe inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20. The seal 44 has a sealingsurface 44 a that encloses an area slightly greater than the outersurface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14. More specifically, the sealingsurface 44 a encloses an area of the second predetermined area 25. Thefill tube opening 22 of the first preferred embodiment has a thirdpredetermined area 27 that is larger than the second predetermined area25. Thus, when the fill tube 20 is mounted onto the tube spout fitment14, the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 is spaced apart from theouter surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14. Additionally, the sealingsurface 44 a of the seal 44 is flushingly engaged with the outer surface18 of the tube spout fitment 14.

The seal 44 is made of a pliable material such as a rubber, elastomer,silicon, polyisoprene, or other like polymer. The seal 44 is pressedbetween the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 and the outer surface18 of the tube spout fitment 14 so as to further prevent products fromleaking while the container 12 is being filled. Specifically, as

As the fill tube 20 is engaged onto the tube spout fitment 14 the tubespout opening 16 will come in contact with the seal 44. As the fill tube20 is further pressed into engagement with the tube spout fitment 14 theseal 44 becomes compressed between the inner surface 26 of the fill tube20 and the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14 so as to placethe sealing surface 44 a into engagement with the outer surface 18 ofthe tube spout fitment 14 and prevent products from leaking while thecontainer 12 is being filled.

The tube spout fitment 14 may further include a stop 46. The stop 46extends radially from the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14.With reference again to FIG. 4 c, the machine 10 will continue to pressthe fill tube 20 onto the tube spout fitment 14 until the distal end 20a of the fill tube 20 comes into contact with the stop 46 of the tubespout fitment 14. Once the fill tube 20 is fully engaged with the tubespout fitment 14, the filling machine 10 delivers product into thecontainer 12.

As clearly seen in FIG. 4 c, the third predetermined area 27 of the filltube opening 22 is larger than the second predetermined area 25 enclosedby sealing surface 44 a of the seal 44. Thus the fill tube 20accommodates greater machine tolerances. Specifically, machine tolerancemay be overcome as the third predetermined area 27 of the fill tubeopening 22 makes it easier to align and mount the fill tube 20 onto thetube spout fitment 14. Furthermore, increasing the area of the fill tubeopening 22 reduces the chances of the inner surface 26 touching theouter surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14 during mounting operationsthereby decreasing the chance of contamination. Yet further, the seal 44provides a small contact area between the fill tube 20 and the tubespout fitment 14 relative to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, thusfurther reducing the chance of contamination.

With reference now to FIGS. 5 a-5 d, a second preferred embodiment ofthe fill tube 20 is provided. As illustrated by FIGS. 5 a-5 d, the filltube 20 is generally cone shaped. The fill tube 20 includes a first endportion 50 opposite the fill tube opening 22. The fill tube 20 furtherincludes a mid-portion 20 b spaced apart the fill tube opening 22. Thefill tube opening 22 is wider than the mid-portion 20 b so as to givethe fill tube 20 a generally cone shape. The inner surface 26 of themid-portion is configured to fittingly enclose the outer surface 18 ofthe tube spout fitment 20. The fill tube opening 22 is greater than thefirst predetermined area 24 of the tube spout fitment opening 16.Accordingly, similar to the second preferred embodiment, the fill tube20 facilitates the engagement of the fill tube 20 onto the tube spoutfitment 14. Specifically, the opening 22 narrows to the firstpredetermined area 24 as the opening 22 proceeds to the mid-portion 20b, forming a general cone shape. The cone shape helps direct to opening16 of the tube spout fitment 14 into a fitting engagement with the filltube 20 as the fill tube 20 is mounted thereto.

With reference now to FIG. 5 b, the tube spout fitment 14 is shownslightly misaligned to the center of the fill tube 20 so as to representmachine intolerance during mounting operations. The upper opening 16 ofthe tube spout fitment 14 is pressed against a portion of the innersurface 26 of the fill tube 20. As the fill tube 20 is pressed down, asindicated by the arrow, the tube spout opening 16 slides along the innersurface 26 of the fill tube 20 as shown in FIG. 5C.

The tube spout fitment 14 of the second preferred embodiment may furtherinclude a stop 46. The stop 46 extends radially from the outer surface18 of the tube spout fitment 14. The tube spout fitment opening 16 isguided upwardly along the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20 until thestop 46 abuts against the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20. The tubespout fitment opening 16 is spaced a predetermined distance apart fromthe stop 46 so as to be positioned fittingly within the mid-portion 20 bof the fill tube 20. Thus, the tube spout fitment opening 16 is placedin communication with the first reservoir 28 and the container 12 isready for filling operations.

With reference again to FIG. 1, the operation of the filling machine 10is illustrated. The filling machine 10 may be stand alone or may beintegrated into an assembly line 11. For illustrative purposes, theoperation of the filling machine 10 is provided wherein the fillingmachine 10 is one of a plurality of machines in the assembly line 11.Each machine in the assembly line 11 is configured to perform a specifictask so as to sequentially and logically mass produce a packagedproduct. The assembly line 11 may include a rail system 38 forautomatically transferring the containers 12 to each machine within theassembly line 11.

The assembly line 11 may be configured so as to manufacture a packagedproduct from raw material. For instance, the assembly line 11 mayinclude a sheet cutting machine (not shown) which cuts a roll oflaminate material into sheets. A container forming machine (not shown)may be located downstream the sheet cutting machine. The containerforming machine seals the edges of two sheets together to form the bodyof the container 12. A tube spout fitment mounting machine may belocated downstream the container forming machine. The tube spout fitmentmachine is configured to mount a tube spout fitment 14 onto the formedcontainer 12.

The programmable controller 32 is operable to transfer the formedcontainer 12 downstream the rail system 38 to the filling machine 10.The programmable controller 32 actuates the second drive 33 so as toalign tube spout fitment 14 with the fill tube 20. The programmablecontroller 32 then actuates the first drive 34 of the filling machine 10to mount the fill tube 20 onto the tube spout fitment 14. Specifically,the position sensor 42 detects if the tube spout fitment 14 is inalignment to receive fill tube 20. When the tube spout fitment 14 isproperly aligned to the fill tube 20, the first drive 34 lowers the filltube 20 onto the tube spout fitment 14. Preferably, the filling machine10 is equipped with a second sensor 52 such as a pressure sensor whichcan detect when the distal end 20 a of the fill tube 20 abuts againstthe base 46 of the tube spout fitment 14. The second sensor 52 is alsoin communication with the programmable controller 32 so as to preventthe first drive 34 from continuing to advance the fill tube 20 when thedistal end of the fill tube 20 abuts against the base 46 of the tubespout fitment 14. Thus, the second sensor 52 detects when fill tube 20is fully mounted onto the tube spout fitment 14. After the container 12is filled with product, the programmable controller 32 may be furtheroperable to actuate the pump 30 a so as to draw excess air, gases, orproduct from the container.

After filling the container 12 the machine 10 will continue to operatein the above fashion so as to fill the next container 12 upstream therail. The programmable controller 32 further actuates the rail drive 40so as to transfer the filled container 12 downstream the rail system 38to where other machines may perform other tasks directed towardsproducing a packaged product. For instance, a spout rinsing machine, capinstallation machine, and a pouch rinsing machine may be locateddownstream the filling machine 10 so as to perform operations directedtowards readying the container for commercial use. Additionally, atamper seal machine (not shown) may be included that places a tamperevident seal on the tube spout fitment 14. The rail drive is operable todeliver the next unfilled container upstream the filling machine 10 tothe fill tube 20 for the filling operations described above.

Upon filling a predetermined number of containers 12 the machine 10 maythen actuate the valve 30 so as to dispense the cleansing fluid throughthe fill tube 20 and clean the fill tube 20 before filling morecontainers 12. Specifically, the programmable controller 32 actuates thevalve 30 so as to release cleansing fluid contained in the secondreservoir 36 through the fill tube 20.

With reference now to FIG. 7 a method for filling a container 12 havinga tube spout fitment 14 with an outer surface 18 having a secondpredetermined area 25 and a tube spout opening 16 is provided. Themethod begins with the step of providing a first reservoir 28 containingproduct to fill the container 12 with. The method further includes thestep of providing a fill tube 20 with an inner surface 26, and a filltube opening 22 having a first predetermined area 24. The fill tube 20is interconnected with the first reservoir 28, and the fill tube opening22 is slightly larger than the tube spout.

The method proceeds to the step of mounting the fill tube 20 onto thetube spout fitment 14 such that the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20is in contact with the outer surface 18 of the tube spout fitment 14.The method then proceeds to the step of delivering a predeterminedamount of the product contained in the first reservoir 28 to thecontainer 12 through the opening of the tube spout fitment 14. Themethod may further include the step of providing a seal 44 disposedalong the inner surface 26 of the fill tube 20, wherein the seal 44encloses an area slightly larger than the opening of the tube spoutfitment 14.

The method may also include the step of cleaning the fill tube 20 withcleansing fluid. Specifically, a second reservoir 36 containingcleansing fluid is also connected to the fill tube 20. The cleansingfluid may be flushed through the fill tube 20 so as to cleanse the innersurface 26 of the fill tube 20 and prevent contamination of thecontainers 12.

1. A machine for filling a container with product, the container havinga tube spout fitment having an outer surface and a tube spout opening,the machine comprising: a fill tube having an inner surface and a filltube opening, wherein the fill tube opening is configured to slidinglyengage the outer surface of the tube spout fitment, and wherein theinner surface of the fill tube is in contact with the outer surface ofthe tube spout fitment when the fill tube is mounted thereon; and afirst drive for mounting the fill tube opening onto the tube spoutfitment so as to deliver product to the container, and wherein the innersurface of the fill tube is flush against the outer surface of the tubespout fitment when the fill tube is mounted onto the tube spout fitmentso as to prevent product from leaking while the container is beingfilled.
 2. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fill tube iselongated and the inner surface of the fill tube is generally uniform.3. The machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tube spout openinghas a first predetermined area and the fill tube opening has a secondpredetermined area.
 4. The machine as set forth in claim 1, furtherincluding a first reservoir for holding product to be delivered to thecontainer, wherein the fill tube is in communication with the firstreservoir.
 5. The machine as set forth in claim 4, further including avalve for controlling the delivery of product from the first reservoirto the container, wherein the valve is mounted on the fill tubedownstream the first reservoir.
 6. The machine as set forth in claim 1,further including a first drive for mounting the fill tube onto the tubespout fitment such that the inner surface of the fill tube slidesagainst the outer surface of the tube spout fitment.
 7. The machine asset forth in claim 2, further including a seal disposed along the innersurface of the fill tube, the seal having a sealing surface, and whereinthe sealing surface defines an area having the second predeterminedarea, and wherein the opening of the fill tube has a third predeterminedarea, wherein the third predetermined area is larger than the secondpredetermined area so as to place the inner surface of the fill tubeapart from the outer surface of the tube spout fitment when the filltube is mounted thereon, and wherein the seal is pressed between theinner surface of the fill tube and the outer surface of the tube spoutfitment so as to place the sealing surface into engagement with theouter surface of the tube spout fitment and prevent products fromleaking while the container is being filled.
 8. The machine as set forthin claim 1, wherein the fill tube further includes a mid-portion spacedapart the fill tube opening, and wherein the fill tube opening is widerthan the mid-portion so as to give the fill tube a generally cone shape,and wherein the inner surface of the mid-portion is configured tofittingly enclose the outer surface of the tube spout fitment.
 9. Themachine as set forth in claim 8, wherein the tube spout fitment furtherincludes a stop, the stop extending radially from the outer surface ofthe tube spout fitment, wherein the stop is spaced apart from the tubespout fitment opening.
 10. The machine as set forth in claim 9, whereinthe stop is configured to engage the inner surface of the fill tube soas to prevent the fill tube from advancing past a predetermined point,and wherein the opening is fittingly engaged with the mid-portion of thefill tube at the predetermined point.
 11. A machine as set forth inclaim 7, wherein the seal is made of a pliable material selected fromthe group consisting of rubber, elastomer, silicon, and polyisoprene.12. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fill tube is made ofa rigid material selected from the group consisting of nylon, metal, andplastic.
 13. A machine as set forth in claim 4, further including asecond reservoir containing cleansing fluid, wherein the valve system isoperable to release cleansing fluid through the fill tube so as tocleanse the fill tube.
 14. A machine as set forth in claim 13, furtherincluding a rail system having a rail drive, and a sensor wherein therail drive is operable to advance a container along the rail, and thesensor is operable to detect the position of the container so as todetermine if the tube spout fitment is aligned to receive the fill tube.15. A method of filling a container with a product, the container havinga tube spout fitment having an outer surface and a tube spout opening,the method comprising the steps of: providing a fill tube having aninner surface, a fill tube opening and a seal, and wherein the fill tubeopening is slightly larger than the tube spout opening, wherein the filltube is interconnected with the first reservoir; and mounting the filltube onto the tube spout fitment, wherein the inner surface of the filltube is in contact with the outer surface of the tube spout fitment soas to prevent the product from leaking while the container is beingfilled.
 16. A method as set forth in claim 15, further including thestep of providing a first reservoir containing the product to fill thecontainer with, and delivering the product contained in the firstreservoir to the tube spout fitment when the fill tube is mountedthereon.
 17. A method as set forth in claim 15, further including thestep of providing a seal disposed on the inner surface of the fill tube,wherein the seal is pressed between the inner surface of the fill tubeand the outer surface of the tube spout fitment.
 18. A method as setforth in claim 15, further including the step of providing a secondreservoir interconnected with the fill tube, wherein the secondreservoir contains cleansing fluid and is operable to release thecleansing fluid through the fill tube.